Law School Application Checklist

The application process for admission to law school typically begins during the spring semester of your junior year (approximately 18 months before you expect to enter law school). The timeline below is approximate.

March - June (or before)

  • Prepare for the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test)

April/May

  • Apply for the LSAT (registration deadlines are one month prior to test date) and LSDAS (application may be done at a later date).
  • Contact faculty/references for letters of recommendation after registering for LSDAS.

June

  • Take the LSAT.

July (earlier w/e-mail notification)

  • LSAT results are available. Narrow your choice of schools based on your LSAT score, GPA, and personal preference.
  • Review school applications to determine requirements for the personal statement and start to write a personal statement for each school.

August/September

  • Subscribe to LSDAS (Law School Data Assembly Service) if you did not subscribe when registering for the LSAT.
  • Complete transcript request form and send with transcript to LSDAS (may be done any time after grades are reported for spring semester).
  • Request law school catalogs, applications, and financial aid information or review online at each school's website.
  • Check LSDAS report for accuracy at lsac.org.
  • Contact faculty/references for letters of recommendation if you did not do so in the spring semester after registering for LSDAS.
  • Finalize personal statements.

September/October

  • Complete and send law school applications online.
  • Submit dean's certification form to college of enrollment or to academic department for those in the College of the Liberal Arts.

December

  • Check to be sure application file is complete. Follow-up with faculty references on letters of recommendation.

January

  • Finalize your financial aid application. FAFSA forms are available after January 1.

December - May

  • Visit law schools.

April - June

  • Pay your seat deposit.